United now go to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp – followed by a trip to Tottenham that Solskjaer already views as an acid test.

He said: “Spurs, at Wembley, is a proper test – and we’re already looking forward to it.

“It will give me more of a reference as to where we are in relation to the big boys.

“We need to move on and move up the table.

“At Man United you always expect to win the next game.

“That doesn’t mean I expect to win every game we play because that doesn’t happen – but I always expect to win the next game.”

Solskjaer was still able to include £75million Lukaku, £52million Fred and £500,000-a-week Alexis Sanchez.

But this was a day when he a look at fringe players like Sergio Romero and Matteo Darmian, as well as youngsters Andreas Periera, Diogo Dalot, Scott McTominay and teenage substitute Tahith Chong.

“The result probably flattered us,” said the United boss. “Reading made it very difficult for us, but individual quality won us the game.”

Man Utd 2-0 Reading: Romelu Lukaku struck on the stroke of half time to secure the win (Pic: GETTY)

He wasn’t wrong. The Royals may be struggling in the Championship and this was their 11th game without a win.

But new boss Jose Gomes saw his team enjoy 61 percent possession. And he insisted: “If we play like that then we don’t have to be concerned about the future.

“I was very proud of the performance - but it showed we lack a killer instinct.

“I would like to bring in four or five new players – but only if they are better than the players we’ve already got.”

United took the lead against the run of play in the 23rd minute thanks to VAR.

Mata was taken out by Tiago Ilori’s wild challenge and although the ball ran loose for Fred to slot home, the Brazilian had strayed offside.

Referee Stuart Attwell went upstairs for a decision that confirmed Ilori had fouled Mata.

And United’s Spanish No 8 duly sent Anssi Jaakkola the wrong way from the spot.

Andy Yiadom and Danny Loader squandered chances for the visitors either side of Mata’s opener.

And Yiadom forced United keeper Sergio Romero into a smart save just before Lukaku put the home side further ahead in the fourth minute of first-half injury-time.

The Belgian striker raced clear thanks to Sanchez’s pass and the limping Ilori’s flawed attempt to step up to catch him offside.

Lukaku’s third goal since Solskjaer’s arrival was never in doubt once he had evaded Jaakkola’s plunge towards the ball.

Gomes opted to replace the injured Ilori with Sone Aloko at the break because former United favourite John O’Shea felt a slight muscle strain during his warm-up.

Romero saved Harriott’s fierce shot with his legs and later kept out Aluko’s low effort.

The only thing United fans got to shout about in the second half was the appearance of shaggy-haired 19-year-old Dutchman Chong for his debut, although the loss of Sanchez with a slight hamstring pull will be a worry.

Solskjaer, who now emulated Matt Busby by winning his first five games in charge, said: “I picked a team that had never played together before, so I am pleased we’re through and that we’ve kept another clean sheet.”